Are you ready?
Getting started - covering the basics
- Be trained. Rescue, navigation, basic skills and advanced skills are regularly offered course options. You can find a great selection of locations for courses on the BC Marine Trails member pages. An option is following the Paddle Canada accreditation program.
- Be prepared. See Sea Kayak Association list of trip planning here. Please use resources on this page to help plan your trip.
- Be connected.
- carry a VHF radio. Know how to use it. Have a license so you can communicate with vessels when necessary.
- have a float plan.
VHF Channel information
Canadian Coast Guard Vessel Traffic Services broadcast channels are:
- VHF Ch 11(South of Ballenas – Merry Is., Straight of Georgia, Gulf Islands to Victoria)
- VHF Ch 71 (North of Ballenas – Merry Is.)
- VHF Ch 12 (Vancouver Harbour, English Bay, Howe Sound)
- VHF Ch 74 (Fraser River)
Canadian Coast Guard Marine Safety Search & Rescue Communications channels are:
- VHF Ch 16 (Calling & Distress) *16 (Cell phone)
- VHF Ch 83A (Working Channel)
Continuous Marine Broadcast (CMB) provides 24 hour up to date weather information and navigational hazards:
- VHF CHANNEL WX3 Mt. Helmcken (Victoria) & Bowen Is.
- VHF CHANNEL WX1 Texada Is.
- VHF CHANNEL 21B Mount Parke (Mayne Is.)
- 250-363-6880 Mt. Helmcken
- 250-363-6492/604-666-3655 Bowen Island & Mount Parke
- 250-339-0748 Mid-Island Area
Online information:
Proper Equipment
Proper Safety Equipment
Before you even decide on a trip location you will need to have proper kayak or canoe equipment to meet Transport Canada safety regulations for a human-powered boat. First of all there is your basic list of safety equipment:
- Canadian approved life jacket or personal flotation device (PFD)
- One buoyant heaving line at least 15 metres long
- One reboarding device - usually this is a paddlefloat that attaches to your paddle
- One watertight flashlight (recommended for all but required if your boat if longer than 6 m)
- Six (6) Canadian-approved flares of Type A (Rocket Parachute), B (Multi-Star) or C (Hand) if your boat is more than 6 metres in length
- One bailer or manual bilge pump
- One sound-signalling device (i.e. whistle)
- Navigation lights that meet the requirements set out in 'Collision Regulations'.
- One magnetic compass (not required on boats less than 8m in length)
- One radar reflector is required under certain conditions
- Transport Canada Compliance Guide for non-pleasure human powered boats
More Equipment
- You obviously need a paddle, too. Especially if you are going to use the paddlefloat for re-entry of your boat or to move your boat forward!
- Many paddlers carry a VHF radio (you don't need a licence to carry it but to speak into it; however, in an emergency no one is going to fault you). Many paddlers also carry a cell phone (not usually waterproof) and sometimes a personal locator. One of the best is an ACR Personal locator.
- Whether you are renting or using your own kayak or canoe check it over. For example, on a rental kayak you may see a lot of wear around the footrest indicating the amount of use. Check to see it the boat is leaking or ask relevant questions.
Helpful links
Emergency Contact, Packing List, Float Plan
Weather, Tides, Currents
Other Resources
Paddling Clubs
British Columbia Paddling Clubs
Blogs/Websites
There are numerous paddling blogs and websites. Our director, Nick, has listed a few below: